September 24

So, last Monday – September 15th – I started Radiation Treatments. I asked the techs again if it is possible for the treatments to make me feel nauseated. They said – no way! Well, guess what? Radiation Treatments make nauseated. I looked online and it said that although it is rare – it does sometimes happen. I spoke to my Radiation Oncologist last Friday and he said that it really doesn’t happen often – but it can happen and if I need something – he would be happy to get me a prescription. I am – of course – very dubious that anything would help me since nothing did during my chemo treatments.

Cathy – at Dr. Morgan’s office – said I could just be one of those barfy people that get nauseated for no good reason and nothing seems to help them. I think she was right. What the heck? I mean – it is RARE that someone gets nauseated from radiation for breast cancer. Do I really need to be part of that group? If I am going to be part of a RARE group – couldn’t it be that I am part of a rare group of women recovering from breast cancer that meet and marry a really handsome, nice millionaire?

It’s not nearly as bad as the nausea after the first week after chemo treatments – but it’s not fun either. I am just going to grin and bear it.

Other than this unpleasantness – I am actually doing quite well. I haven’t noticed too much of a decline in my energy yet. Last weekend I was able to go to the UMFA to see the Monet to Picasso exhibit – so glad I didn’t miss it – and a party at Darci Anderson’s home. She is currently in her parent’s home in Draper with the most awesome audio-visual room.

This week, I was able to go to book club last night and actually start Tai Chi classes at East High tonight. I hope I will do okay and will have enough energy to get through it.

My hair is starting to come in but it is coming in all weird. It’s really blonde and then has some darker patches. Cathy suggested I shave off the fuzz and it should come in better. I think I will do that in the next day or two. My eyelashes and eybrows are making a comeback as well. One of these days - I may feel like a normal person again.

As many of you know, our dear friend Betsy Berge lost her Mother last weekend. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Also, our friend Sheree Fitzgerald Hastings is in the hospital after delivering her baby early and suffering from preeclampsia and HLLP syndrome. Her kidneys are not functioning and she is very ill. Her baby boy is doing well and gaining weight but is still in the hospital. Please keep them in your prayers as well.

I will hopefully be able to start teaching my Gospel Doctrine class again in the next few weeks. I think I could handle it. We’ll have to see.

Thanks again to all of you that continue to pray for me. I know it has made all of the difference for me.

September 15

Back to work. Sigh!

I had a great week off from work last week. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I went to the Tetons and Jackson Hole with some friends last week. We all had a really good time. After my summer of chemo – it was a welcome relief from not doing much for a few months.

I had a friend give me a condo for the week at The Jackson Hole Racquet Club – now called The Aspens – and had some friends up to stay with me here and there over the week.

The first weekend, Shawna, Bruce and I had Emily, Clayton and Angie up for their Sub-4-Santa weekend that they bought in the auction last year. They left on Sunday. Michael and his roommate Nate came up and stayed with us Saturday night and stayed until Tuesday. Don T. and a friend of his from Brazil came up and stayed Monday night and again Thursday night. Betsy H. and her beau Rick came up Wednesday night and stayed until Saturday.

We did a little hiking on the first Saturday and I actually got to do the fun part of the Snake River on Monday. It was mucho cold and I was so glad I had a wet-suit on. I even have a little neoprene hood for my bald head – which, by the way, is getting some fuzz. The river was so fun. Thanks to Bruce for being my kayak partner. We didn’t dump out and go in the river – which was a good thing for me.

I think I got a bad sinus thing or something the later part of the week. I’m starting an anti-biotic today to see if it will help. My sinuses are out of control. I hate that. And, thanks to Darci Anderson who house and puppy sat for me while I was gone, along with Shawna after she got back. I really appreciate them doing that!


And, I had my first radiation treatment today. It really happens very quickly - about 5 minutes – but today they had to take some x-rays first. The hardest thing was keeping my arms above my head for about 30 minutes in a somewhat awkward position. It was amazing to me just how hard that was.

Things are moving right along with my treatments and I will be done with all of this nonsense before we all know it. If I stay on track and don’t miss any radiation appointments – I will be done on October 24th. I can’t wait.

It was a little frustrating last week when I can tell that my strength and stamina are just not up to par. Hiking was not easy – even though it wasn’t a very tough hike. I can’t wait until I feel like myself again. All in due time, I suspect.

What is the most important thing is that I am going to be around to kayak, hike, whatever for a very long time. I’m going to kick everyone’s butt next summer – just wait and see.

Cyn

September 2

This just in.

I had a mammogram this morning and already got the results. I am good to go. They saw nothing of any concern.

Yeah!

I really wasn't all that nervous about this appointment. Since they found something in March and I had it done at LDS Hospital, they have you sit there and wait while the radiologist looks at your films. So, I sat there and waited. It took a little longer than I was comfortable with and then I got a little nervous. When the tech came back in to the room with the radiologist I thought - Oh no! - but he was all smiles and said that everything looked great. What a relief. I now have to have one every 6 months for a while.

I'm really looking forward to my vacation next week. I can hardly wait.

Cyn